- Paul Weller -- vocals, bass

- The Style Council (Paul Weller)

- Paul Weller (solo efforts)

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  The Jam

Company: Polydor

Catalog: PX-1-503

Year: 1981

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: 33 rpm, 12" EP; UK pressing

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 5271

Price: $15.00

A five track, 12” EP, 1982’s cleverly title “The Jam” was clearly intended to buy the band some time while they finished work on the forthcoming album “The Gift”.  The fact EPs never caught on with American buying audiences didn’t seem to play a role in Polydor’s decision to release it domestically.  A collection of previously released singles, hardcore fans already had material like ‘Absolute Beginners’ and ‘Funeral Pyre’ in their collections.  Still, showcasing a couple of their best songs, it served as a good starting point for newcomers, or for someone merely curious.  The highlights – their cover of The Who’s obscure ‘Disguises’ and the acoustic ‘Liza Radley’ (Ray Davies would have been proud).  Hum, call it a mini-‘best of’ … it makes you scratch your head and wonder why Paul Weller and company couldn’t get arrested in the States.

"The Jam" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Absolute Beginners   (Paul Weller) – 2:49

2.) Tales from the Riverbank  (Paul Weller) – 3:35

(side 2)
1.) Funeral Pyre   (Paul Weller) – 3:29

2.) Disguises   (Peter Townshend) – 3:17

3.) Liza Radley   (Paul Weller) – 2:46